Why another Appraisal toolkit?

In 2012 my wife was about to have her first GP appraisal. The existing toolkits at the time weren't very user friendly so the FourteenFish appraisal toolkit was born. 
I left FourteenFish in 2022 and I have been building software ever since. I built Improval with the vision of a  set of tools to help users Improve. This included tools around goal setting, mentoring, meeting management, habit tracking and more that I used myself but didn't really have a clear picture of who else it would be for. It was also during this time that ChatGPT and AI changed everything.

Reflective based learning

This is whole separate article but Reflective based learning, a key part of medical appraisal and GP training, was already under pressure from increasing demands for doctors, bureaucracy, Covid, and then AI tools became widespread. Now anyone could ask a LLM to write a reflective entry for them and voila!

As I continued to develop Improval I integrated AI tools into the system. GP Registrars can use AI within Improval to get feedback on specific consultations and on progression over time. I was also using AI tools to help with coding. My initial experiences were that the AI tools got in the way but this soon changed as the models got increasingly sophisticated and reliable. I then realised not only was I more productive than ever but in fact I had never been learning more. 

I also developed the Improval Reflect app. I am not sure I have ever been that great at evidencing reflection, despite having lived and breathed it for the last 17 years. The Improval Reflect app uses voice notes to produce Learning entries. Despite using AI these still feel both authentic and at the same time help me learn. This felt like a natural fit for a new Appraisal toolkit.

Product focus

I have always been driven on producing tools that complement not complicate processes. I find it rewarding to provide systems that can help people improve and also enjoy innovating and backing it up with excellent service which then feels like a conversation with customers. Larger companies inherently have different priorities and the focus can easily shift away from the actual product.

A Modern solution

The challenges and demands on doctors today are greater than they have ever been before and it feels like morale is at a real low. At the same time software is innovating at a pace I never remember experiencing. It feels like there is an opportunity to bring this into an Appraisal system and I am excited. Below are some of the features already in the system which I hope can be part of the solution at keeping Appraisal useful and minimising the burden:

  • Voice notes to Reflection
  • AI suggestions for areas to develop (PDP)
  • Video calls within Improval for remote appraisals - with options to record and summarise
  • Modern slick user interface
  • Calendar booking to arrange the Appraisal meeting
  • Excellent Support

I was really hesitant about building a new system, I was conscious I didn't want to try and just recreate or revisit the past. However, it feels like there is an exciting opportunity for an agile, modern system that uses AI to help produce authentic useful learning. 

There is a free switching service at: app.improval.com/transfer and if any of this sounds interesting please do get in touch.